2008 Audi RS 4 recalls & problems

The 2008 Audi RS 4 has 3 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (1 complaint).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V427000 · Jun 22, 2018 · 237,947 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Sedan, A4 Avant, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan, 2007-2008 RS4 Sedan, 2004 RS4 Cabriolet, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2005-2011 A6 Sedan, 2006-2011 A6 Avant, and 2007-2011 S6 Sedan vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag with an alternate remedy part, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R7. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 16V382, 17V032 and 18V004 and includes vehicles that may have had their air bag previously replaced under one of those campaigns.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 18V082000 · Jan 30, 2018 · 162,782 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 17V032000 · Jan 11, 2017 · 33,421 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Additionally, unless included in "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles, and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2018. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Note: This recall has been superseded by recall number 18V427.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2008 Audi RS4 4-DR w/SAB

Overall	Not Rated
Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	10.7%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

RS4

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

RS4 Cabriolet

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.2 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,850/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Suspension Front	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—
Engine and engine cooling Engine	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Jan 10, 2009 · 18,560 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine
I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY RESPONSE TO MY REQUEST FOR SERVICE LODGED ON 4 AUGUST 2010. AS PROMISED, I HAVE PROVIDED TO MY DEALERSHIP HERE IN ALASKA. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ONCE AGAIN IN YOUR LACK OF ATTENTION. I'M NOW GOING TO THE FOLLOWING SITE TO POST THIS COMPLAINT SO OTHERS MAY BE FOREWARNED AT THE LACK OF SERVICE. HTTPS://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/IVOQ/COMPLAINT.CFM MY MESSAGE FROM 4 AUG 2010 THAT WENT UN-ADDRESSED: I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE WAY AUDI IS HANDLING THE INJECTOR AND MISFIRE ON MY 08 RS4. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL AUDI'S AND YOU HAVE NOW PUT MY DEALER IN A POSITION OF NOT ADDRESSING THE REAL ISSUE ON THE POOR RUNNING OF MY AUDI. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR A CHECK ENGINE…
May 30, 2010 · 100 milesUnknown or other
I DRIVE A 2008 AUDI RS4, AND MY MPH AND ODOMETER READINGS ARE 10-12% HIGHER THAN ACTUALS. I HAVE VERIFIED THIS SEVERAL WAYS. USING POLICE RADAR VEHICLES, USING GPS, AND USING OTHER CARS TO PACE, AS WELL AS USING THE SPEED CHECK SYSTEMS. ALL OF THEM SHOW I AM DRIVING SLOWER THAN THE ACTUAL DISPLAYED VALUE BY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. THIS CAUSES A FEW ISSUES. FIRST I AM RACKING UP MILES ON THE CAR THAT ARE NOT ACTUAL, AFFECTING THE VALUE. SECOND I AM BEING PUT OUT OF VEHICLE WARRANTY 10-12% EARLIER THAN I WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE, A BOON FOR AUDI. THIRD I AM NOT TRAVELING SPEEDS I SAY I AM, WHICH COULD CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES. I AM NOT THE ONLY RS4 OWNER WHO HAS NOTICED THIS ISSUE, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED…
Jul 27, 2009 · 11,334 milesSuspension › Front
AUDI RS4 SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FAIL PREMATURELY AND CAN CAUSE HANDLING/CONTROL ISSUES. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE, IT APPEARS TO BE A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITHOUT AN OFFICIAL RECALL. AUDI RS4 SUSPENSION INCLUDES A COMPONENT CALLED DRC (DYNAMIC RIDE CONTROL) WHICH HAS AN OIL-FILLED BUSHING ON TOP OF THE SHOCK STRUT. THIS COMPONENT FAILS REGULARLY AND LEAKS OIL DOWN THE STRUT (SOMETIMES POOLING ON THE GROUND AS IN MY CASE). THE FAILURE CAN AFFECT HANDLING AND RIDE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.